@wallhackio apparently he doesn’t; « Before Ryuk gives the president the notebook, he informs him of a new Death Note rule recently created by the Shinigami King stating that both the seller and buyer of a Death Note will die. Ryuk states that he is willing to leave the Death Note behind if the president dies, so that the Vice President can use it. Since the president values his life over letting his country use the Death Note, he declines possession of it. Instead, he lies and announces to the world that he has the Death Note, but will refuse to use it, believing this will boost his reputation. Ryuk congratulates him on his shrewd decision and leaves with the Death Note. »